Scottish MP Responds to Bishops’ Attack on Marriage Equality

October 9, 2011 — Terence Weldon

In Scotland, Catholic  bishops have been vigorously opposing Scottish proposals to introduce marriage equality. The leader of the  Scottish Liberal Democrats,  Willie Rennie, has made a superb reply, responding to the Bishops’ arguments on their own terms.

The bishops claim that the proposal is a denial of religious freedom. Not so, says Rennie. It is the Catholic bishops who are seeking to deny religious freedom to other denominations, and to members of their own church, who believe that as a matter of conscience and of justice, marriage equality is the right thing to do.

The bishops claim that the proposal is an attempt to impose the law on the churches. Not so, says Rennie. The proposal does not impose anything on anybody – it simply offers a  possibility to those who want to use it. It is the Catholic bishops who are seeking to impose their restricted view of marriage on the entire Scottish population –  dissenting Catholics, other Christians, people of other faiths, and non-believers alike.

Bravo, Willie Rennie.

 

Rennie attacks bishops over gay marriage 

THE Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie yesterday launched a scathing attack on Catholic bishops for seeking to “impose” their views against same-sex marriage on ordinary members of the Church.

In his first speech to the Scottish Lib Dem conference as leader, Rennie said he would challenge the Catholic hierarchy, which has been outspoken in its criticism of gay marriage.

Rennie said he had the “utmost respect” for the work of the CatholiADVERTISEMENT

c Church “in so many ways”, but he said the recent furore over the SNP’s consultation on homosexual marriage was “unacceptable”

 - Scotsman.com News.

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  • Anonymous

    I am very proud of Willie Rennie for taking such a firm stance against the Catholic Bishops. Respect for other Faiths goes two ways – if we must respect the Catholic Church and other Churches and their views, they must, in turn, respect other Faiths and their views.

    What the Catholic Bishops are seeking to do is not only prevent members of their own Church from supporting or taking part in Equal Marriage ceremonies but they are seeking to prevent everyone from all Faiths from having any option at all! This is not acceptable. The Vatican has NO jurisdiction in Scotland or anywhere else! This is not a matter for the pronouncement of the Pope!

    What the Bishops fail to see is the fact that no-one is forcing any of them or any of their members into performing such marriage ceremonies – they will have
    the choice to refrain from doing so which many of them will do.

    If the Catholic Bishops have their way (and they needn’t threaten a block vote – we are not afraid of a block vote because it won’t work) they will be preventing all Faith Groups and none from performing same-sex marriages
    in any context whatever.

    So – well done Willie Rennie! The majority of people in Scotland are supportive of this measure. It is an enabling piece of legislation, fairly minor in itself, but one which will enable those who wish to have their commitments to each other held in a religious context if they wish. No one Faith group has the right to stand in the way of this important move forward. This is right for the times and it is right for Scotland to lead the way!

    Before anyone trots out theological arguments against same sex marriage, they need to re-read their Scriptures and look more deeply into interpretation! Much of it is too often totally misinterpreted and mis-translated! There is not one actual reference to the word “marriage” in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. It was purely a business transaction between a father to transfer his property (his daughter) to another person in the community (usually a man)! It was a paper contract, a Bill of Sale!

    • http://queering-the-church.com/blog/ Terence Weldon

      Thanks, Rainbow Girl. I can’t write too much now as I’m away from home with an extremely limited net connection – but there are two threads in your reply I want to expand on when I get home later this week – there is no compulsion in the Scottish proposals, and the question of Scripture and interpretation

  • Susecw

    I just stumbled on this site, so a bit late posting. I think people should be aware that Willie Rennie has an intern from the deeply homophobic CARE, who believe they can ‘cure’ gay people.

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